Dearborn, Mich. — For the second year, the $2 billion DFCUFederal Credit Union will distribute a patronage dividend of $17million to the credit union's members.

In an announcement of the dividend DFCU called it the “largestin the history of credit unions.” Every member will get at least$50 and some, depending on how many credit union products andservices they use, will receive thousands of dollars, the CUsaid.

DFCU CEO Mark Shobe said the CU offered the dividend as a way tothank its members.

“For the past seven years, we've worked hard to become anefficient, healthy and well-capitalized credit union so that we areable to give back and help our members in many ways–more branches,investment advisory services, free budget and credit counseling,our no-payment/no-interest loans for displaced workers, and thespecial dividend.”

Shobe did not bring up the credit union's failed 2005 attempt tochange to a bank charter. The credit union withdrew its applicationfor charter change after outcry among its members and then endureda series of bruising court battles in the wake of the fight.